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Rural Health
Resources by Topic: Health disparities

2022 Alaska Scorecard: Key Issues Impacting Alaska Mental Health Trust Beneficiaries
Highlights the 2022 results of Alaska's Comprehensive Integrated mental Health Program plan. Presents data on early childhood mental health, substance use and prevention, and healthcare workforce.
Additional links: Scorecard Overview
Date: 04/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Alaska Mental Health Trust Authority
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The Interaction of Rurality and Rare Cancers for Travel Time to Cancer Care
Explores the connection between rurality and travel time to receive treatment for rare cancers. Breaks down data by patient characteristics, such as age, race, and rurality, among other measures. Compares rare cancers with common cancers and by treatment type.
Author(s): Tracy Onega, Jennifer Alford-Teaster, Chris Leggett, et al.
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 39(2), 426-433
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
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American Indian and Alaskan Native Maternal Mental Health
Report discusses the rates of maternal mental health conditions experienced by American Indian and Alaska Native women. Highlights correlations and contributing factors driving mental health disparities among native mothers.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Policy Center for Maternal Mental Health
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Pennsylvania State Health Improvement Plan, 2023-2028
Multi-year strategic plan developed by the Pennsylvania Department of Health and the Healthy Pennsylvania Partnership, a multi-sector partnership of stakeholders and collaborators. Outlines steps and partnerships needed to achieve health equity, chronic disease prevention, and whole person care, and encourages policymakers, healthcare providers, nonprofits, and residents to promote and support health improvements throughout Pennsylvania.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Pennsylvania Department of Health
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Whole Health Coaching to Rural Veterans through Telehealth: Advantages, Gaps, and Opportunities
Discusses the Whole Health (WH) initiative – a proactive practice using coaches to engage patients in their health and well-being, and its applicability through telehealth to offer support to rural Veterans in achieving their health goals. Analyzes the findings from data collected through interviews, national surveys and focus groups of WH coaches working with rural veterans to determine the advantages of using telehealth, gaps in telehealth usage, and opportunities for WH coaching for rural veterans.
Author(s): Kelsea LeBeau, Deepthi S. Varma, Consuelo M. Kreider, et al.
Citation: Frontiers in Public Health, 11
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
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Using the 2023 Rural Population Health Chartbook
Discusses the data within the 2023 Rural Population Health Chartbook from the North Carolina Rural Health Research Program. Explains how to utilize the 33 measures of population health to understand rural health disparities, comparisons by counties and states, rural-urban differences, and more.
Additional links: Slide Deck, Transcript, Video Recording
Author(s): Kristie W. Thompson
Date: 03/2023
Type: Video/Multimedia
Sponsoring organization: Rural Health Research Gateway
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Measuring and Addressing Health Equity: An Assessment of Cancer Center Designation Requirements
Examines equity structures, processes, and outcomes in cancer center endorsements and their relationship to high-quality cancer care for all populations. Discusses cancer health disparities due to socioeconomic and insurance status, minoritized racial/ethnic groups, medically underserved populations, and rural populations and how endorsing bodies can incorporate health equity requirements in cancer care for these groups.
Author(s): Jason T. Semprini, Caitlin B. Biddell, Jan M. Eberth, et al.
Citation: Cancer Causes & Control, 34, 23-33
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
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Health Equity in Indian Country: Rethinking How the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services Approaches Health Equity for American Indians and Alaska Natives
Summary of three events in 2022 between the National Indian Health Board (NIHB), Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS), and CMS Tribal Technical Advisory Group (TTAG) to discuss health equity within CMS programs for American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN). Includes recommendations for effective health equity policy to CMS generally and the CMS Framework for Health Equity 2022-2032 specifically.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: National Indian Health Board
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Racial and Ethnic Disparities in Periodontal Health among Adults Seeking Dental Care in Rural North Carolina Communities: A Retrospective Study
Examines the prevalence of periodontitis in adults seen in dental clinics in rural North Carolina. Analyzes 10,544 electronic health records (EHRs) from 2011 to 2017 to observe periodontitis prevalence by age, race and ethnicity, tobacco use, diabetes diagnosis, and payer status. Discusses health disparities present in various sociodemographic groups.
Author(s): Alex Gillone, Acela A. Martinez Luna, Qiang Wu, et al.
Citation: Journal of Periodontology, 94(3), 364-375
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
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Digital Access: A Super Determinant of Health
Discusses how the digital divide intersects with health equity and behavioral health and how telehealth can bridge health disparities. Describes local, state, and federal examples of efforts to reduce the digital divide. Includes a list of funding opportunities and resources promoting broadband access.
Date: 03/2023
Type: Document
Sponsoring organization: Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
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